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PM to lay foundation for Rs 15K cr Bundelkhand Expressway

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the Bundelkhand Expressway in Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh on February 29, 2020. The expressway is estimated to cost Rs 15,000 crore.

UP Government will be constructing the 296-km long Expressway which will pass through the districts of Chitrakoot, Banda, Hamirpur and Jalaun.

This expressway will link the Bundelkhand area to the national capital Delhi through Agra-Lucknow expressway and Yamuna expressway as well as play a vital role in the development of Bundelkhand region.

India has huge defence equipment requirements spanning from land systems, ships and submarines to fighter aircraft, helicopters, weapons and sensors and in order to fulfil these requirements, the government had announced setting up of Defence Industrial Corridor in Uttar Pradesh during the Investors Summit in February 2018 in Lucknow.

The Central government has set up the corridor with identification of six nodes initially. These are Lucknow, Jhansi, Chitrakoot, Aligarh, Kanpur, Agra out of which two nodes are being created in Bundelkhand region at- Jhansi and Chitrakoot. In fact, the biggest cluster would be created at Jhansi.

PM Modi will also launch 10,000 Farmers Producer Organisations (FPO) all over the country in Chitrakoot.

FPOs will help in collectivization of small, marginal and landless farmers, who  face tremendous challenges during agriculture production phase such as for access to technology, quality seed, fertilizers and pesticides including requisite finances.

Members of the FPO will manage their activities together in the organization to get better access to technology, input, finance and market for faster enhancement of their income.

HAL to help fulfil Rs 35k cr defence exports target: Rajnath

New Delhi (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today expressed confidence that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), through its various platforms, will contribute significantly in achieving the Rs 35,000 crore defence exports target by 2024.

He said that in the last five years, India has made significant progress towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The Defence Minister was speaking after inaugurating the new Light Combat Helicopter Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka today.

Stressing that the defence industry plays a major role in the economic development of the country, Rajnath lauded the significant contribution of organisations like HAL.

HAL, a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) has helped India leapfrog six places to become the fifth-largest economy in the world, the Defence Ministry said in a statement today.

Comments on Delhi violence by USCIRF, others ‘inaccurate’: MEA

External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar (File)

New Delhi (NVI): India today said that comments made by US commission on religious freedom, USCIRF and by “few individuals” on the violence in northeast Delhi were “factually inaccurate” and urged them not to come up with such “irresponsible statements” at a sensitive time.

MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, while addressing media during a weekly briefing here said that the government had clarified on the issue yesterday as well.

He said that the law enforcement agencies are trying to restore normalcy. “They are trying to restore confidence. You are also aware that the senior representative of the government, they are engaged in this process. Prime Minister himself, he has publicly appealed for peace and brotherhood,” Kumar said.

While referring to some of the statements on Delhi situation by individuals agencies, individuals, he urged not to make any irresponsible comments at such a sensitive time.

Earlier in the day, in response to a media query regarding comments made on recent incidents of violence in Delhi, Raveesh said, “We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue.”

USCIRF had said yesterday that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attacks on Muslims.

“We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence,” USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement.

Delhi violence: Death toll climbs to 35

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll in the northeast Delhi violence has risen to 35 today, reports said, even as over 200 people have been injured in the clashes that took place in the area on Monday and Tuesday.

Reports in the media said that an alleged clash between pro and anti-Citizenship Act (CAA) is behind the massacre that has shaken the national capital.

Yesterday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval reviewed the situation as he visited some violence-hit parts in northeast Delhi and interacted with locals as well as officials. NSA Doval assured the people that normalcy would return soon and also briefed Home Minister Amit Shah on the overall situation.

The violence has claimed the life of a Delhi Police head constable and an Intelligence Bureau Official.

The cop, who was killed on Monday, was identified as 42-year-old Ratan Lal from Sikar in Rajasthan.

The IB official has been identified as 26-year-old Ankit Sharma and he was brutally thrashed by a mob while he was returning home from work. His body was later recovered from a drain in northeast Delhi’s riot-hit Chand Bagh area where he lived.

Meanwhile, in response to a media query regarding comments made on recent incidents of violence in Delhi, MEA official spokesperson Raveesh Kumar today said:

“We have seen comments made by USCIRF, sections of the media and a few individuals regarding recent incidents of violence in Delhi. These are factually inaccurate and misleading, and appear to be aimed at politicising the issue.

“Our law enforcement agencies are working on the ground to prevent violence and ensure restoration of confidence and normalcy. Senior representatives of the Government have been involved in that process. Prime Minister has publically appealed for peace and brotherhood. We would urge that irresponsible comments are not made at this sensitive time.”

USCIRF had said yesterday that the Indian government should provide protection to people regardless of their faith amid reports of attacks on Muslims.

“We urge the Indian government to make serious efforts to protect Muslims and others targeted by mob violence,” USCIRF Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced compensation for those affected in the violence. “Delhi government will give Rs 10 lakh to families of those killed in violence, Rs 5 lakh to those seriously injured,” he said at a press conference.

Offshore Patrol Vessel VAJRA launched in Chennai

Chennai (NVI): To enable the Indian Coast Guard to ensure foolproof security along the 7500 km vast coastline, the sixth Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Vajra’ was launched in Chennai today.

The security vessel was launched in the presence of Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and senior government officials here, the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.

During the launch ceremony, Chief Guest on the occasion Mansukh Mandaviya said that the vessel built by Larsen and Toubro under the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ campaign would be utilised for day and night patrolling.

Mandaviya said that the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV-6) will strengthen the efforts Indian Coast Guard for securing over 7500 km vast coastline, an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of over 20 lakh sq km and more than one lakh merchant ships transiting per year through Indian waters for global trade.

He recalled the maritime history of India and stated that National Maritime Heritage Complex will be developed at Lothal, Gujarat for securing and showcasing rich maritime heritage of India.

“India has always been strong player in Maritime Technology since Indus Valley Civilisation except for few centuries and showed the confidence that India is regaining its maritime capabilities with dedicated approach in terms of ship buildings and protecting waters of India,” he said.

“OPV-6 is truly state of the art platform which will enhance the capabilities of Indian Coast Guard in terms of operation, surveillance, search and rescue,” he added.

He also appreciated that within the span of 43 years, Indian Coast Guard has increased its fleet strength and said that now it is one of the largest coast guards in the world.

“The ship would be utilised for day and night patrol, surveillance along with anti-terrorist, anti-smuggling operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as Coastal Security,” he said.

“The OPV will have two Navigation Radars with ultra-modern technology, sophisticated navigational and latest communication systems,” he added.

Director General K Natarajan, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard, Inspector General S Paramesh, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (East) and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Coronavirus: 723 Indians evacuated from Wuhan till now

New Delhi (NVI): An Indian Air Force plane today brought back another batch of 76 Indians stuck in coronavirus-hit Wuhan, the third special flight sent to the neighbouring country for the evacuation of citizens.

With this, India has so far evacuated 723 Indians and 43 foreign nationals from Wuhan.

IAF’s C-17 Globemaster III plane that landed in Delhi today also had 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar.

The plane had departed from Air Force Station, Palam yesterday carrying 15 tonnes of medical supplies to Wuhan, as a goodwill gesture by the Indian Government.

Wuhan, which falls in Hubei Province in China, emerged as the epicentre of the epidemic outbreak that has claimed 2,744 lives so far.

Earlier, two AI flights, one on January 31 and the other on February 1, 2020 were organised to evacuate the Indian citizens.

The first flight on January 31 carried 324 Indians, most of them students, who were taken to Indo-Tibetan Border Police Chhawla camp in Delhi and an army facility at Manesar in Haryana for medical observation.

The second flight on February 1 brought 323 Indian citizens and 7 Maldives citizens from Wuhan and were taken to two quarantine facilities.

Coronavirus: Europe, Middle East most affected outside China

New Delhi (NVI): The coronavirus is spreading more quickly in Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world than in China where the virus first emerged in the central city of Wuhan at the end of last year, reports said.

The number of new coronavirus infections inside China was for the first time overtaken by fresh cases elsewhere on Wednesday, with Italy, Iran and South Korea emerging as new hotspots for COVID-19.

The rise in Italy, the main focus of infection in Europe, represents a 25% surge in 24 hours. The outbreak has killed 12 people in the country so far.

Schools, universities and cinemas have been closed and several public events cancelled.

Eleven towns at the centre of the outbreak – home to a total of 55,000 people – have been quarantined.

Also, South Korea – the biggest cluster of infections outside China – reported a total of more than 1,200 infections and 12 deaths so far, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has banned foreigners from visiting the country’s most holy sites – Mecca and Medina.

The ministry of foreign affairs said the suspensions were temporary – but did not say when they would end.

The number of new deaths stood at 29, the lowest daily rate since January 28. A total of 2,744 people have died till now as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

In Kashmir, 13 lakh tulips to bloom this year

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): 13 lakh tulip bulbs are going to bloom at Asia’s largest Tulip garden in Srinagar in March this year, J&K Floriculture Department has said.

The garden, which is spread to over 30 hectares, is situated at the mesmerizing foothills of the Zabarwan hills on the banks of the Dal Lake and remains open from March end to April end every year.

The opening of the tulip garden marks the beginning of the tourist season in Kashmir.

The tulip garden has attracted filmmakers as shooting of various Bollywood films have taken place here in the last 10 years.

Earlier known as Siraj Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden was opened in 2008 by then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The idea of the garden was conceived to advance the tourism season in the Valley by about two months. The average life span of the tulip flower is three to four weeks, but heavy rains or too much of heat can destroy it.

In 2014, it was declared as the second best tulip garden in the world by World Tulip Summit Society.

Director Floriculture Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Rather said that sprouting of bulbs is in progress and are expected to bloom at the scheduled time of Tulip festival. “Last year 1.2 million bulbs were planted and this year 13 lakhs were planted in the Tulip garden adding four more varieties,” he said.

Secretary Floriculture, Sheikh Fayaz Ahmad today reviewed the preparations for opening of Tulip Garden in the summer capital during a meeting with officials of Floriculture Department here.

The meeting was also attended by Director Floriculture Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Rather.

Highlighting the importance of the Tulip Garden in the tourism map of J&K, Secretary Floriculture asked the concerned to add more varieties for attraction of tourists. He said one lakh more tulip bulbs in Tulip garden have been planted this year.

He also asked the officials to maintain a feedback register for tourists and incorporate the suggestions in next tulip season.

The meeting also decided to plant coniferous plants around the Tulip Garden.

During the meeting, the Secretary also reviewed the preparations for observing Chinar Day which falls on 15th March.

The Secretary impressed upon the officers to distribute and plant 10,000 Chinar saplings on the Day across Kashmir.

He asked the officers to involve educational institutions, government offices, NGOs, masjid committees and youth groups.

Director Floriculture informed the meeting that he is hopeful that sustained efforts of the department to revive Chinar tree population will be realized in coming years.

Secretary Floriculture also reviewed the progress of schemes under ATMA, MIDH, RKVY and other government projects going on in different areas of Kashmir.

Stating that there are 7000 registered commercial flower growers in Kashmir, Secretary Floriculture directed the officers to facilitate these growers with every possible help from department so that more and more young farmers can adopt flower growing as a business model.

He also called for inculcating the practice of cleanliness and sanitation as a norm in every garden and park, making them more floriferous, aesthetic and ravishing throughout the year.

11 dead due to hailstorm in Bihar, Jharkhand

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm have also caused damage to crops in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, over the past two days. (Source: Twitter @bisnujha)

New Delhi (NVI): Heavy hailstorms have killed at least 11 people in parts of Bihar and Jharkhand, even as rains continue to northeast states.

Three people lost their lives in Munger while 2 were dead in Gopalganj and Jamui each. Bhagalpur, Sarhanpur and Aurangabad reported 1 casualty each, SkymetWeather reported.

Unseasonal rains and hailstorm have also caused massive damage to crops at several places in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, over the past two days, as per media reports.

Meanwhile, it was cloudy weather in Delhi with the minimum temperature recorded at 13 degrees Celsius from 12.7 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

The maximum temperature today is expected to be around 28 degrees Celsius in the national capital, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The overall air quality in the national capital today is in the “poor” category.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 249 which falls in the “poor” category.

The IMD said that there will be a rise in  minimum temperature by 2 to 3 degree Celsius over northwest India and over East India it is expected to have fall in temperature by 2 to 3 degree Celsius

“No significant change temperature is expected in rest of the country,” it added.

AI flight evacuates 119 Indians from coronavirus-hit Japan ship

New Delhi (NVI): A special Air India flight arrived in Delhi from Tokyo today, bringing back 119 Indian nationals who were on board a Japanese cruise ship, affected by coronavirus.

Japanese cruise ship Diamond Princess was docked at Yokohama port near Tokyo after confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported on the vessel. It was under quarantine and under the process of disembarkation.

“Air India flight has just landed in Delhi from Tokyo, carrying 119 Indians & 5 nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa&Peru who were quarantined onboard the #DiamondPrincess due to #COVID19. Appreciate the facilitation of Japanese authorities. Thank you @airindiain once again,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Jaishankar also appreciated the Indian Embassy in Tokyo for their efforts to make the evacuation process smooth.

A total of 138 Indians, including 132 crew and six passengers, were among the 3,711 people, onboard the Diamond Princess ship when it docked at Yokohama on February 3.

Apart from that, an Indian Air Force flight brought back 76 Indians from Wuhan in China. The plane also brought back 36 nationals from 7 countries.

“On its return from Wuhan, the IAF flight has brought back 76 Indians & 36 nationals from 7 countries – Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. Appreciate facilitation by the Chinese government,” Jaishankar said in another tweet.

The C-17 Globemaster III plane had departed from Air Force Station, Palam yesterday carrying 15 tonnes of medical supplies to Wuhan.

This is the third Air India flight that India has sent to coronavirus-hit Wuhan to evacuate its nationals.

A total of three flights have been organised including the one today. Earlier two flights were on 31 January and 1 February. In all 723 Indian nationals and 43 Foreign nationals have been evacuated from Wuhan, China in these three flights, the government said in a press release today.

Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, said that while the evacuees from Japan will be quarantined at the Army camp at Manesar, those from Wuhan shall be housed at the ITBP facility at Chhawla.

Out of the 138 Indian nationals on board of Cruise Ship Diamond Princess, 119 out of 122 who were tested and found negative as per latest PCR test have been brought back as 3 Indian nationals opted not to come back. All other 16 are in hospitals in Japan getting treatment and quarantined, Harsh Vardhan stated.

Harsh Vardhan added, “Government of India has also sent a consignment of 15 tonnes of Indian Medical Relief for COVID-19 to Wuhan, China.”

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